LETS: Journal of Linguistics and English Teaching Studies

Connecting World Lexicons: Figurative Language’s Role in BBC News Listening for Intercultural Competence

Margaret Stevani — Sun, 30 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0000

This research investigated the dynamic relationship between figurative language and intercultural competence among university students engaged with BBC News broadcasts. The research focused on language acquisition and listening skills to explore how metaphors, similes, and idiomatic expressions could facilitate communication in diverse linguistic contexts. Guided by a constructivist model and serving in the dual roles of a United Nations ambassador and an English lecturer, the focus was on nurturing critical thinking and autonomous learning within a cohort of 23 English education students in North Sumatra, Indonesia. The primary objective was to emphasize the significance of English proficiency in fostering global partnerships. The findings revealed effective listening skill strategies, including selective attention, recalling prior knowledge, evaluating and repeating the phrases, and contextualization. These strategies yielded benefits such as cultural discovery, enhanced language comprehension, and empathy building. Observations emphasized the importance of background cultural knowledge, managing passage length, and addressing cultural competence topics. Understanding figurative language was essential for cultural students, enhancing creative thinking and fostering comprehensive global citizenship.

Students' Difficulties In Reading Short Stories In Junior High School Wawonii Tenggara

Aiswarya Roy, Citra Prasiska Puspita Tohamba, Muflihun, Almuthmainnah — Sun, 30 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0000

This study aims to investigate students' difficulties in reading short stories at Junior High School Wawonii Tenggara. This study was conducted in grade 8 of Junior High School Wawonii, with a sample of 5 students selected purposively. This research has conducted last for one week, namely May 15-18, 2023. To achieve thisgoal, the researcher used a qualitative design and the semi-structured interview methods to collect data. To analyze the data, the researcher used data condensation techniques, data display, and drawing conclusions. The results of this study indicate that there were three students' difficulties in reading short stories: difficulty in understanding a word or piece of vocabulary, difficulty in understanding long sentences, difficulty on understanding main ideas, and each student has his/her own efforts to solve the problems faced when reading short stories.

Kipo Moti: Nonverbal Communication of Mee Ethnic in Papua

Adi F. Mahmud, Syarifuddin Dollah — Sun, 30 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Nonverbal communication has a vital role in social interaction. The majority of communication in social life involves nonverbal language. This research aims to (1) explore in depth Kipo Moti as the nonverbal communication of the Mee tribe in Papua and (2) discover the context of the use of Kipo Moti as the nonverbal communication of the Mee tribes in Papua. Research uses a qualitative approach with a descriptive design. A total of one subject was selected using the purposive technique with particular consideration. Open-ended questions are used in in-depth interviews and document analysis from online sources. Three sections made up the interview: The first section of the interview concentrated on the overall characteristics of the Mee tribe in Papua; the second section focused on the culture of the Kipo Moti, which is the nonverbal language of the Mee tribe; and the third section focused more on the Kipo Moti use as a nonverbal tongue in various contexts. The interview transcript results are analyzed using three phases that are taken from Gay et al. (2009). first reading/memorization, describing, and classifying. Research results show that Kipo Moti for the Papua Mee tribe is a form of nonverbal communication that expresses feelings of appreciation, love, respect, and pride toward one another or others. Furthermore, the Kipo Moti language can be used in a variety of situations to indicate three symbols; First. A symbol of friendship. Second. A symbol of peace. Third. A symbol of agreement.

Test Construction Practices: A Narrative Inquiry Among English Teachers in Bangladeshi Tertiary Education

Ibrahim Hossain, Dr. Farzana Yesmen Chowdhury — Sun, 30 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Assessment is a crucial component of the teaching and learning process within any educational setting. Teacher-constructed achievement tests are used as the only means of assessment in many educational contexts. Such tests can measure the attainment of educational objectives, facilitate effective instruction, and provide positive washback. This research employs a narrative inquiry approach to explore the test construction practices and to identify the influencing factors that shape these practices. It explores the lived experiences of a group of novice and experienced English language teachers at the tertiary level in Bangladesh. Individual stories are analysed using Brown and Abeywickrama’s (2010) five language assessment principles. The findings of this study reveal a substantial gap between the principles of test construction and the actual practices and reveal that practices are predominantly shaped by institutional regulations rather than teachers' grasp of assessment theory and techniques. The findings of the study have implications for teachers in constructing practical tests, teacher trainers in designing training modules, and policymakers in developing appropriate assessment policies.

Online Quizizz for Teaching Reading at Junior High School

Rafiqa Rafiqa, Nurunnisaa Alimah A., Muhammad Danial — Sun, 30 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0000

This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of using Quizizz in teaching reading in English subjects and to determine students' perceptions of using the application in learning. The study was conducted in SMP Negeri 3 Majene and used a quantitative method with a quasi-experimental design. The population in this study were all eighth-grade students of SMP Negeri 3 Majene. The sampling technique used Cluster Sampling by selecting two classes representing the entire population with 30 students in each group. Research data were collected through test and non-test instruments given to students using pre-test, post- test, and student perception questionnaires. The mean score for the pre-test for the Experiment Group was 66.90, while the average score for the post-test was 83.70. The research data were analyzed using parametric analysis as an Independent sample T-test, with the test results showing that sig. (2-tailed = 0.000) < 0.05. with the conclusion that the Quizizz application can be significantly used effectively in learning reading. As for the results of the student perception questionnaire, namely 88.35%, which is included in the good and positive categories. The conclusion is that Quizizz is more effective than conventional learning and is considered good for English learning.

Desire, Death and Characterisation in Henry James’ Daisy Miller

Aminu Ahmed Nuru, Ahmed Nuru, Abdulkadir Abubakar, Christiana David Yerimah — Sun, 30 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0000

The paper offers a close textual analysis of Henry James’ classic novella, Daisy Miller. The analysis explores the conflict of desire the female protagonist is exposed to in the society, and how the woman’s desire is linked with death. James’ Daisy Miller depicts the struggle of a woman to articulate and demonstrate her experience of ideal lifestyle in a foreign environment. In this realist fiction, the female protagonist is seen in constant conflict with both the men and women surrounding her as she sticks to the path she feels is ideal for her. She finds herself battling with a new culture different from her own. At the end, the research concludes that Daisy’s death in the novel is an attempt by the author to achieve a “pure” work of art. His motive is clear: he does not intend to deviate from what his society considers pure literature. His attitudes on gender and sexuality seem largely to conform to the accepted social structures of his time.